Obituaries

Zelda Crocker Griffin

Zelda Crocker Griffin, long-time Bradenton resident, passed away on January 2, 2013 in Brentwood, TN. She was 89. She attended Miss Choate School for Girls in Boston, MA, graduated from Barnstable High School, where she played the Base Drum in the band, and Bradford College, Boston, MA. As a Drama and Speech major, she also was an actress and participated in Summer Stock. In 1939, she won the Gold Medal as the Massachusetts State Diving Champion and the New England Diving Champion. She was to compete in the Olympics in 1940; however, was unable to compete as the competition was canceled due to World War II. In 1942, she met and married the love of her life, Captain Linwood Griffin Jr. Colonel Griffin, who died in 1978, was a popular school teacher in Bradenton. Zelda is survived by two sons and a daughter: Brigadier General (Retired) Robert F. Griffin of Little Rock, Arkansas; Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) John Crocker Griffin of Anniston, AL; and Sherry Griffin Mielke Alborn of Carmel, IN and Brentwood, TN. Her oldest son, Linwood Griffin III, Schweinfurt, Germany, a sister, Carol Crocker Hawley of Chevy Chase, MD and her brother, Zenas Crocker, Oyster Harbors, MA preceded her in death. In addition to her children, she is survived by nine grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren (with three more on the way). Zelda was always known for her love of life, family and friends and for wearing her heart-shaped glasses. In addition, she was a published poet and studied ancient Chinese from the written characters of Confucius. Over the years, she was Woman's Club President, Den and Scout Mother, Protocol and Etiquette teacher and Grey Lady. Upon her husband's retirement in Bradenton in 1967, she was Volunteer Docent Chairman at the South Florida Museum, a champion with the Suncoast Masters Swim Team in Sarasota, gaining a national record with her group, and became a CTM in the Sarasota Toastmasters Club. She is survived by a community of wonderful friends, and will be missed by all who knew her. Visitation was held from 5-7pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013 at Shannon Funeral Home, 1015 14th Street W., Bradenton. A Memorial Service was held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, Jan.18, 2013 in the chapel of Christ Episcopal Church, Bradenton. Condolences for the family may be made online at www.shannonfuneralhomes.com.

A poem written for Zelda by Rosa Zagnoni Marinoni,

Poet Laureate of Arkansas, stated:

Zelda of the sun-lit smile

And hair as dark as night,

Whose presence makes the darkest room

Spark with a welcome light,

You soon will leave to meet your love

Far from our Ozark skies,

And sparks of joy will daily dance

In your enchanting eyes!

But we the friends you leave behind,

Shall not forget your name,

For love has etched it in our hearts

With finger tips of flame!

The flame that lit your poetry,

Fusing our hearts as one,

Spreading the Zelda brightness

That can outshine the sun.

Visitation was held from 5-7pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013 at Shannon Funeral Home, 1015 14th Street W., Bradenton. A Memorial Service was held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, Jan.18, 2013 in the chapel of Christ Episcopal Church, Bradenton. Condolences for the family may be made online at www.shannonfuneralhomes.com.